An Upset In Pa13?

The poll was conducted Aug. 31-Sept. 1 but released Oct. 7 by GOP challenger Dee Adcock, a small business-owner. The seat has been held by very liberal Democrat Allyson Schwartz since 2005, who succeeded very liberal Democrat Joe Hoeffel who took office in 1999. Hoeffel beat Republican Jon Fox who won his seat from very liberal freshman Democrat Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky in 1994 after voters became enraged at her for casting the deciding vote on the 1993 budget that significantly raised taxes.

Before her, the seat had been held by Republicans since 1916.

According to the poll, support to re-elect Ms. Schwartz is at 41 percent while 37 percent say it is time for someone else. Adcock says, though, the poll indicates he moves ahead 40 percent-39 percent after a brief introduction.

The poll surveyed 300 likely voters and has a margin of error of 5.66 percent in 95 out of 100 cases.

Ms. Schwartz managed the Elizabeth Blackwell Center, a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Philadelphia, from 1975-1988 before successfully running for state senate.